United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made sustainable energy one of his five priorities that will guide his second 5-year term. Specifically, he will direct the United Nations to extend energy’s reach in order to combat endemic poverty. Universal access to energy, improved efficiency and enhanced deployment of renewable sources are ambitious goals, and the Secretary-General is leading a Sustainable Energy for All initiative to make them achievable.
This initiative will call for private sector and national commitments and attract global attention to the importance of energy for development and poverty alleviation. In recognition of the importance of energy access for sustainable economic development and supporting achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, the United Nations General Assembly has designated 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.
The Green Savings Calculator is a free online tool that helps you work out the cost benefit of sustainable improvements to your home. With methods and data verified by RMIT’s Centre for Design, it covers popular eco-friendly building options including water saving, construction materials and energy efficiency. It can calculate potential dollar savings and carbon savings over one year or ten years, for a typical new or established house.
WhichEnergy promotes solar energy consumer choice by providing the information consumers need – including ratings of solar products and retailers. For retailers it promotes best products and best practice – as ranked independently by consumers.
London’s new Blackfriars station – which is being built on a bridge spanning the River Thames – is on its way to becoming the world’s largest solar bridge as the installation of over 4,400 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels begins. The only other known solar bridge known in the world is the Kurilpa Footbridge constructed in 2009 in Brisbane, Australia. An 1886 Victorian-era bridge is the foundation for the new Blackfriars station. A new roof will incorporate over 6,000m² of PV panels, creating the biggest solar array in London by mid 2012. The solar panels will generate an estimated 900,000kWh of electricity every year, providing 50% of the station’s energy and reducing CO2 emissions by an estimated 511 tonnes per year. In addition to solar panels, other energy saving measures at the new station will include rain harvesting systems and sun pipes for natural lighting.
The Australian Alliance to Save Energy (A2SE) is an independent, not-for-profit, coalition of business, government and environmental leaders formed to drive research and advance the efficient use of energy in Australia. A2SE has appointed a new full time General Manager and established formal links with a growing list of international partners, giving the Alliance enormous reach and enabling it to be an exchange of knowledge and international best practice. A2SE has also strengthened its partnership with the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) at the University of Technology Sydney, and with anchor sponsorship from the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency will be hosting the first Australian Summer Study on Energy Efficiency and Decentralised Energy from 29 February to 2 March 2012.
The Local Government and Public Sector Building Maintenance and Management Conference 2011 will cover a wide range of topics including in the theme “Water and Energy Efficient Buildings: Towards More Sustainable Buildings”. To achieve more sustainable buildings it is now crucially important to consider the water and energy efficiency of buildings not just in their initial construction, but also in their operation and maintenance. Topics in this theme include:
The European Citizens Climate Cup (ECCC) is an energy saving competition between households throughout 10 European countries. From April 2011 to April 2012, households are invited to join the competition and use the online toolkit (ESA) to monitor their household energy consumption against that of previous years. This website helps provide all participants with information and tips and tricks on how they can save energy in their home and the ESA will calculate and demonstrate the savings they make. At the end of the competition, there will be an ‘Energy Saver of the Year’ – the individual or household that has made the greatest energy savings.
Sustainable House Day is celebrating its 10th year, and the event will continue to showcase some of Australia’s most sustainable homes to the public as millions of Australians continue to embrace renewable energy, recycling, and other practices suitable to their lifestyles.